CDMA Antenna

[Graeme Willox]

I'm looking for suggestions on the best type of CDMA antenna to get to
put on my car, and also where it is best placed.

I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
long to > 2 metres long.

The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
experienced through the glass.

Any thoughts, please?

[Rod Out back]

"Graeme Willox" <graemewillox@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:42871527$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> I'm looking for suggestions on the best type of CDMA antenna to get to put
> on my car, and also where it is best placed.
>
> I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
> long to > 2 metres long.
>
> The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
> there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
> experienced through the glass.
>
> Any thoughts, please?

Graeme,

I have one of the 1m long ones(about 1.5cm thick at the tip; they come with
an integrated base spring mount, and packaged in a postpak tube), and it
works very well. I think its either a 4db or 6 db gain. I have mine mounted
on my Landcruiser utility bullbar. A mate of mine has the same antenna
mounted on his BA falcon sedan; on a bracket that fits out between the boot
lid & side of the boot. His coverage is as good as if not better than mine.
He tells me one of his colleagues tried fitting the antenna on the front of
a car, and found it very noisy, as well as interferes with the view
noticeably. He suggests that if you boot-mount the antenna like he did, you
need one that has the connector out the side of the bottom, rather than the
very bottom of the antenna. This makes a difference on how high it sits
when mounted. He also suggested putting a goodly dob of silicone sealant
around the bracket when screwing the mounting bracket down. This reduces
the vibration the bracket expereinces noticeably, and pretty much prevent
screws coming undone. It might be a bit of a time-consuming getting rid of
the silicone when removing the mount in the future, but it dont move in the
mean time...

If mounting the antenna on a boot-bracket, ensure the boot closing wont chop
the antenna cable. mate had to put his antenna back a bit from the corner of
the boot, because this would happen. Also, the boot-bracket on the falcoms
at least doesnt exist. Mate gets a front-mount bracket for the opposite
side, and flogs the thing into the right shape. Also ensure you dont have
the antenna sititng too far out into the wind; they get knocked around a lot
if mounted too high(which would probably stress the mounting bracket as a
result).

Personally, the metre-long antennas seem to be worth the effort to install
properly. They seem to give great coverage.

Cheers,

Rod.......Out Back

[peabody]

i have a 9db mounted on my bullbar and get great signal
"Rod Out back" <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote in message
news:WtFhe.3575$E7.2974@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
>
> "Graeme Willox" <graemewillox@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> news:42871527$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > I'm looking for suggestions on the best type of CDMA antenna to get to
put
> > on my car, and also where it is best placed.
> >
> > I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
> > long to > 2 metres long.
> >
> > The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
> > there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
> > experienced through the glass.
> >
> > Any thoughts, please?
>
> Graeme,
>
> I have one of the 1m long ones(about 1.5cm thick at the tip; they come
with
> an integrated base spring mount, and packaged in a postpak tube), and it
> works very well. I think its either a 4db or 6 db gain. I have mine
mounted
> on my Landcruiser utility bullbar. A mate of mine has the same antenna
> mounted on his BA falcon sedan; on a bracket that fits out between the
boot
> lid & side of the boot. His coverage is as good as if not better than
mine.
> He tells me one of his colleagues tried fitting the antenna on the front
of
> a car, and found it very noisy, as well as interferes with the view
> noticeably. He suggests that if you boot-mount the antenna like he did,
you
> need one that has the connector out the side of the bottom, rather than
the
> very bottom of the antenna. This makes a difference on how high it sits
> when mounted. He also suggested putting a goodly dob of silicone sealant
> around the bracket when screwing the mounting bracket down. This reduces
> the vibration the bracket expereinces noticeably, and pretty much prevent
> screws coming undone. It might be a bit of a time-consuming getting rid of
> the silicone when removing the mount in the future, but it dont move in
the
> mean time...
>
> If mounting the antenna on a boot-bracket, ensure the boot closing wont
chop
> the antenna cable. mate had to put his antenna back a bit from the corner
of
> the boot, because this would happen. Also, the boot-bracket on the falcoms
> at least doesnt exist. Mate gets a front-mount bracket for the opposite
> side, and flogs the thing into the right shape. Also ensure you dont have
> the antenna sititng too far out into the wind; they get knocked around a
lot
> if mounted too high(which would probably stress the mounting bracket as a
> result).
>
> Personally, the metre-long antennas seem to be worth the effort to install
> properly. They seem to give great coverage.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back
>
>

[Martin Taylor]

Graeme said....

> The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
> there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
> experienced through the glass.

I have no idea what brand or db gain mine is, but it came with a Nokia
CARK-91 car kit. It is glass mounted. Recently, I replaced the CARK-91
with a CARK-126 kit and retained the antenna. It works fine. However,
two days ago, I noticed that the cable side (inside) mount has come
adrift from the glass. Looks like the adhesive ain't all that flash. Not
sure what to use to glue it back. Might put a dab of Locktite adhesive
on it. Doesn't seem to have affected reception, though..

[TA 2000]

I'm looking for suggestions on the best type of CDMA antenna to get to
put on my car, and also where it is best placed.

I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
long to > 2 metres long.



Best place for mobile antennas on cars is on the roof, though this may not be practical depending on where you drive as the antenna may be damage.

As gain a low gain arial works best around hill country, as high gain works best in flat country.

Take a look at this website http://www.smarteq.com.au/antennaSchool.asp

Cheers
Tom

[Rod Speed]

"TA 2000" <TA.2000.1p74ic@no-mx.forums.eyo.com.au> wrote in message
news:TA.2000.1p74ic@no-mx.forums.eyo.com.au...
>
> Graeme Willox Wrote:
>> I'm looking for suggestions on the best type of CDMA antenna to get to
>> put on my car, and also where it is best placed.
>>
>> I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
>> long to > 2 metres long.
>>
>>
>
> Best place for mobile antennas on cars is on the roof, though this may
> not be practical depending on where you drive as the antenna may be
> damage.

> As gain a low gain arial works best around hill
> country, as high gain works best in flat country.

Pig ignorant drivel.

> Take a look at this website http://www.smarteq.com.au/antennaSchool.asp

[Gareth Edwards]

Graeme Willox" <graemewillox@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:42871527$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...> I'm looking for suggestions on the
best type of CDMA antenna to get to
> put on my car, and also where it is best placed.
>
> I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
> long to > 2 metres long.
>
> The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
> there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
> experienced through the glass.

Agreed. That's what I found when buying mine. I eventually opted for a 3db
magnetic mount one that just sits on the roof towards the passenger side of
the car (a 1987 Camry). The coax then feeds straight between the door seals
and under some vinyl to where I retrieved it through the centre console. I
have a patch lead with my Nokia 6385 connected through that. Has made a big
difference, especially in marginal signal areas (as expected :-)).

advantage of this set-up is that I can easily take it to my next car, when
that should occur...

Seems a shame that the more recent Nokias seem to have no option for
external antenna connection except the $$$ car kit. That and the infrared
synch with outlook was why I got the 6385 in the first place (a while ago
now...)

Gareth.



--
Please reply to group...
due to spam the email address given is not regularly checked

"

[Rod Out back]

"Gareth Edwards" <kakapo@safe-mail.net> wrote in message
news:428b07fb$0$27856$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
> Graeme Willox" <graemewillox@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> news:42871527$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...> I'm looking for suggestions on the
> best type of CDMA antenna to get to
>> put on my car, and also where it is best placed.
>>
>> I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
>> long to > 2 metres long.
>>
>> The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
>> there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
>> experienced through the glass.
>
> Agreed. That's what I found when buying mine. I eventually opted for a
> 3db magnetic mount one that just sits on the roof towards the passenger
> side of the car (a 1987 Camry). The coax then feeds straight between the
> door seals and under some vinyl to where I retrieved it through the centre
> console. I have a patch lead with my Nokia 6385 connected through that.
> Has made a big difference, especially in marginal signal areas (as
> expected :-)).
>
> advantage of this set-up is that I can easily take it to my next car, when
> that should occur...
>
> Seems a shame that the more recent Nokias seem to have no option for
> external antenna connection except the $$$ car kit. That and the infrared
> synch with outlook was why I got the 6385 in the first place (a while ago
> now...)
>
> Gareth.
>
>
>
> --
> Please reply to group...
> due to spam the email address given is not regularly checked
>


Gareth,

There is a 'Pop-Port Adapter' to use a later (2280??) Nokia CDMA phone in
the CAR-91K Car Kit sold by Nokia. It apparently sits in the cradle, and
the new phone then fits into it. I have seen the for sale on Aus web sites,
but they seem quite common on some UK web sites.

Havent used one, but am thinking about one for the car kit here. I have a
6385 and CAR-91K kit, but the employee has a 2280, and it would be good for
them to be able to use the car kit when they take the vehicle. It may be a
cheaper alternative if you are thinking about upgrading, and already have
the car kit...

Cheers,

Rod.......Out Back

[Gareth Edwards]

"> Gareth,
>
> There is a 'Pop-Port Adapter' to use a later (2280??) Nokia CDMA phone in
> the CAR-91K Car Kit sold by Nokia. It apparently sits in the cradle, and
> the new phone then fits into it. I have seen the for sale on Aus web
> sites, but they seem quite common on some UK web sites.
>
> Havent used one, but am thinking about one for the car kit here. I have a
> 6385 and CAR-91K kit, but the employee has a 2280, and it would be good
> for them to be able to use the car kit when they take the vehicle. It may
> be a cheaper alternative if you are thinking about upgrading, and already
> have the car kit...

Sounds like a good hint, but I didn't actually buy the CARK-91 (too
expensive for the then cash-strapped uni student). I simply bought the phone
holder (like the CARK crade but with the top half cut off, so the phone just
clips in, but no ext. ant. connection).

Then I got a patch lead for somewhere around $20 and bought the magnetic
mount antenna; bought an adaptor (couldn't hope they'd match first go, could
you...). Worked out all up around $60 - heaps cheaper than the $250 the
CARK-91 was going for at that time. Plus I could install myself, and can
take to the next car myself :-)

I mainly use the ext. aerial in the mountains and when I'm travelling west,
though a few fringe areas even around sydney have benefited.

Thanks for the heads up on that adaptor, though...useful knowing about these
things.

Gareth.

[marko zuvela]

If the weathers good try standing on the roof of your vehicle for a better
signal.
"Graeme Willox" <graemewillox@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:42871527$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> I'm looking for suggestions on the best type of CDMA antenna to get to
> put on my car, and also where it is best placed.
>
> I've seen them with all types of gain from 3db to 9 db and from 300 mm
> long to > 2 metres long.
>
> The only thing I've decided is that unless the technology has changed,
> there's little point in buying a glass mounted antenna due to the loss
> experienced through the glass.
>
> Any thoughts, please?